Which classic U.S. coin series will see the greatest increase in numismatic interest in 2026?
P0CKETCHANGE
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Measure interest however you see fit (price levels, number of new collectors, etc.), and kindly explain your thought process(es) to facilitate discussion. Please stick to classic U.S. coins (no modern Mint series).
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
3
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Trade dollars for several reasons.
Firstly, the new book by @keoj was sorely needed as there was no definitive book about the series which led to a huge dearth of information.
Secondly, the overall rarity of the series when compared to just about any other US federal coinage.
Thirdly, they are a great design with a fascinating story. And, being a big silver dollar, they are more easily enjoyed than minor coinage IMO.
Anecdotally, I have seen prices increasing already and new collectors taking an interest. I believe this growth will continue.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
Because of all the discussion about the end of the cent I think the Lincoln cent will draw the most attention. James
+1
CACd EAC…..especially draped bust and classic head material.
TPG standards aren’t getting any tighter on this stuff, and the eye appeal gap between a porous coin that barely squeezed its way into a 2025 VF holder and a chocolate brown problem free original that JA has approved of the same numeric grade can be enormous.
While this is true for any series, I think EAC stuff stands out.
No real reason why I’d “call” any particular huge swing in 2026, but I think more and more type set collectors will continue to be willing to pay up for the EAC w beans on em……especially as CAC snickering service winds down.
(I’m just a dummy who finished up his 7070 set this year so take what I say with a grain of salt)
Any series that I do not collect.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
2026 will definitely be the year of shield nickels!!!!! To the moon baby!!
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
+2
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Nickels now that silver is going up.
Type collector, mainly into Seated. -formerly Ownerofawheatiehorde. Good BST transactions with: mirabela, OKCC, MICHAELDIXON, Gerard
That’s a denomination, not a series.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Probably buffalos or V nicks, I think that a lot of the more casual collectors will switch to non-precious medals after the price hikes concerning silver. It can be challenging filling a book when each coin is almost 3x what is was a few months ago. I for one have shut down my walker and standing liberty collection for the time being, even junk standing liberty quarters are going for $20 at my local show.
Type collector, mainly into Seated. -formerly Ownerofawheatiehorde. Good BST transactions with: mirabela, OKCC, MICHAELDIXON, Gerard
That’s a very interesting point. Perhaps it will drive more interest in dimes and/or clads as well for the same reason. And another tailwind for Lincolns.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Oddly, I woke up this morning and thought to myself, I need to get a trade dollar. 😂 No idea where it came from but you may be onto something.
I own a duplicate Trade that I was considering selling, but I’m going to keep it since @lermish guaranteed they will moon next year 🙃
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
+3
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
Red Book or date sets for Bust Half Dollars 1807-1836
Just got one for my Type Set
If you had a crack at the finest known example of a rare die variety, would you pass on it if you knew CAC had rejected it? I bought the finest known example of 1795 half dollar, Overton 120, knowing CAC had rejected it. It was the best example by 18+ points. CAC is only one factor in the purchasing process.
I would say the Winged Liberty dimes once the 250th designs end up in circulation. Should see some new collectors entering the ranks as well. Although modified it will certainly stand out more than the others.
We just saw the end of the modern small cent. Maybe some buyers of the 2025 Shield cents will seek out the first and it will spur sales of the Flying Eagle cents which were the first. I think the FEC is under valued and quite affordable considering its age and relative rarity.
This is the year I will be able to get more than melt for my SBAs!
I think as prices move up there will be more newer collectors steered to lower costs of entry series. I could see Washington Quarters, Peace dollars, Mercs, Jeffersons, grabbing more shine being completable. Different spectrums more people who want to dabble in gold will be drawn to quarter eagles and gold dollars. Classic series like Shield Nickels and trimes could see some love. All that said their historical pitfalls are still there being too common, small, ugly or completable will still push people up & on as they mature as collectors
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
I'm hopeful that the demise of the Cent will see more people collecting them. I think Lincoln Cents are the obvious choice but I'm hopeful this will translate into interest in the earlier issues as well. ..at least for Braided Hair and Coronet Head issues... Draped Bust and Classic Head Cents are already pricey
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If the hobby grows, I think the mighty Morgan dollar will continue to attract interest especially given the silver content.
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
running like a water color in the rain...."
Great perspectives, all. Allow me to weigh in on my own question as well, as I didn't have any answers in mind when I originated the thread.
The obvious choice, as many pointed out, are Lincoln Cents. Excitement about the last circulation issue may translate to interest in the first (1909), and then perhaps various types (steel, memorial, 2009 bicentennials, proofs, etc.). Options abound to suit any type of collector. Key dates (09-S VDB, 55 DDO, etc) may have additional demand.
Trade Dollars, as @lermish astutely pointed out, seem ripe for continued interest from advanced collectors. Just look at what's happened in the adjacent Seated Dollar series over the past few years. CAC-approved examples may appreciate much faster than the series as a whole, especially given how many scrubbed coins are in straight-graded TPG holders.
Washington Quarters may see some interest, both because of the Founding Fathers theme of the semiquincentennial, as well as the various circulating commemorative issues that will be released in 2026. I'm hoping the Mint adds some further interest by perhaps bringing back the "W" mint program to facilitate even more of a treasure hunt.
I thought what @may said about the increase in silver prices pushing collectors to base metal denominations such as the nickel was insightful, and I could see that happening. Jefferson Nickels in particular may benefit mildly from the Founding Father theme and the "1776" dated circulation strike next year.
While not a specific series, I do think Dimes will get far more attention next year than they have in a long, long time. The classic rendition of Liberty on the coin is likely to spur significant demand from collectors. I do not buy many modern US Mint products, but like the 2021 Peace/Morgans, the 2026 Liberty Dime will be on my wish list next year.
Sadly, Twenty Cent Pieces do not make my list of predictions, however I continue to recommend the series as there is good variety in the limited run (proofs, the Carson City issue, two under-appreciated low-mintage Philly issues, patterns, etc.). Anyone collecting any Seated series should consider taking a second look at these.
Keep the interesting comments and predictions coming.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
I've seen the more rare varieties really increasing in price recently. SO yeah, I'll agree with Lincoln cents.
Which ones have you noticed increasing?
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Classic Silver Commems
Maybe if silver hits $200/ounce. Some of the less popular/less liquid issues would make it to the melting pot. BTW and Carver halves have probably started making their way to the melting pot already.
I agree the small cents (both Indian Head and Lincoln) will probably become more popular.
Classic silver commems; this time is different.
fka renman95, Sep 2005, 7,000 posts
Notably the 1943-P FS-801, and many of the more recent varieties like the 2006 FS-102 and 2014 FS-101 seem pretty strong at auctions. But the earlier seem stronger.
Patterns. They seem to be drawing more interest recently & I think that will continue in 2026.
Along with them, FE’s & IHC’s. No special reason - they’re what I like to collect so I’m hoping more collectors are drawn to them!
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
Copperindian
Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
Copperindian
Nickelodeon
Early Walkers
It’s crazy to me that the modern commemoratives have lower mintages now than the classics but they’re still almost no interest whatsoever.
It’s an endless parade of military, social issues and sports.
There are too many of them, and the prices to keep with them directly from the mint are high. When I was keeping up with them, I almost always bought them in the secondary market a couple of years after they were issued. Then I lost interest, sold the ones that didn’t turn me on.
The only way I made money or just broke even was due to increases in bullion. The gold pulled me up first, and now even the silver dollars are good.
No. I wouldn’t pass on the coin using your example. I agree with your sentiment, and I don’t think it’s contradictory to mine. CAC is indeed but one factor in the landscape.
It’s just a big factor. The reason I outlined EAC in particular is because i think for most type set collectors it’s an area of weakness, making it a more likely for otherwise fairly knowledgeable collectors to rely on the bean.
But again, in your particular scenario I probably wouldn’t have cared
My bet is Classic Commems
I’m curious why you say this.
I see a lot of growth in common date Morgans. Especially with silver on the rise. That will have an effect on the keys, as well, so as to make them proportionate in price.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I don't expect a sustained interest for any series next year. As much as I want to agree with the Lincoln Cent becoming popular, I don't expect anyone to really keep up once they realize the cost of the materials needed to house their collection (i.e. books, folders, albums) far exceeds the value of the coins and that disparity is only getting worse. This is also true for modern nickels and dimes.
What should happen and should always be happening is if someone new comes along with intrigue and interest that they should be shown an item related to what they have and without expectation of them buying, just to enlighten them more about the hobby. Someone starting off with say a 2025 cent could be shown a 1925 Lincoln (maybe with a different mintmark), an Indian Head or Flyer, or an 1825 Large Cent.
The "end" of the small cent may get new collectors to pick up the proverbial ball, but it will be up to us existing collectors to get that ball rolling.
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.
It won't be gold dollars. Mine have not done well except for a handful. Could be that I purchased poorly but it seems that you have to have the right audience. I think the more "affordable" type coins will be the ones with more interest.
Does the trade dollar book cover proofs also?
Would the reaaon be the relative difference in melt values among gold coins?
I don't think so. They didn't do super before the giant runup. I think it is just because they are small coins and historically unpopular like half cents. I personally like them but I needed to sell mine to handle repairs and things. Ended up taking a notable loss overall. But I think some of it was I purchased poorly. Went with my heart which usually gets me into trouble. Mostly I'm doing raw album sets now with lower grade coins. Missing a 36-d Washington right now and a couple of Mercs to complete those sets. Have most of the cents from 1909-1995 but wouldn't buy any keys for that. Have Jeffs from 1939-1975. Some type sets, too.
Newfoundland half dollars become hotter than '79-'91 seated Liberty halves.
$1 is more than melt
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
As one who really enjoyed collecting Newfoundland stamps I need to ask why Newfoundland half dollars?
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Were you buying PCGS graded dollars and what grade range? I've always considered gold dollars relatively expensive.
Key dates in general
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I put together a set of Type I and II gold dollars, but called it quits after I completed the “short set” of the Type IIIs from 1880 to 1889. The 1861-D and other rarities looked totally intimidating.
The big problem with price appreciation for gold dollars is that they are too small. A majority of collectors are into large coins only. I learned that when I was a dealer.
Yes, there a huge audience for key dates which in the end makes them more expensive than they should be. The 1937-D three legged Buffalo is one of the most overrated examples.
That was the joke
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set